19 Facts About Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera is an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths .

The Lepidoptera show many variations of the basic body structure that have evolved to gain advantages in lifestyle and distribution.

Lepidoptera have, over millions of years, evolved a wide range of wing patterns and coloration ranging from drab moths akin to the related order Trichoptera, to the brightly colored and complex-patterned butterflies.

Term Lepidoptera was used in 1746 by Carl Linnaeus in his Fauna Svecica.

The vast majority of Lepidoptera are to be found in the tropics, but substantial diversity exists on most continents.

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Lepidoptera are morphologically distinguished from other orders principally by the presence of scales on the external parts of the body and appendages, especially the wings.

Lepidoptera have olfactory organs on their feet, which aid the butterfly in "tasting" or "smelling" out its food.

The genitalia of Lepidoptera are highly varied and are often the only means of differentiating between species.

Wings, head, and parts of the thorax and abdomen of Lepidoptera are covered with minute scales, a feature from which the order derives its name.

Environmental polymorphism, in which traits are not inherited, is often termed as polyphenism, which in Lepidoptera is commonly seen in the form of seasonal morphs, especially in the butterfly families of Nymphalidae and Pieridae.

In Lepidoptera, it is widespread and almost completely set by genetic determination.

Lepidoptera stated that they fly towards the darkest part of the sky in pursuit of safety, thus are inclined to circle ambient objects in the Mach band region.

The Lepidoptera have developed a number of strategies for defense and protection, including evolution of morphological characters and changes in ecological lifestyles and behaviors.

Lepidoptera published a study of the Florissant deposits of Colorado, including the exceptionally preserved Prodryas persephone.

Fossil record for Lepidoptera is lacking in comparison to other winged species, and tends not to be as common as some other insects in habitats that are most conducive to fossilization, such as lakes and ponds; their juvenile stage has only the head capsule as a hard part that might be preserved.

Lepidoptera descend from a diurnal moth-like common ancestor that either fed on dead or living plants.

Lepidoptera have always been, historically, classified in five suborders, one of which is of primitive moths that never lost the morphological features of their ancestors.

Ecological ways of removing pest Lepidoptera species are becoming more economically viable, as research has shown ways like introducing parasitic wasps and flies.

Outside of this instance, adult Lepidoptera are rarely consumed by humans, with the sole exception of the Bogong moth.